It’s very common to hear people speaking about experiences they have had trying to photograph
their pets. Many times you will hear of mini disasters where an animal will fall from some sort of make-
shift prop, or where a prop has fallen on the pet. Most often it is frustration you hear from the pet owner. They dress up the dog, run for the camera, & then can not encourage the dog to hold still at all.
These are all things that can be alleviated by a few simple tips that we are providing right here.

Mixed Breed Dog (photo can be ordered) Bill Whelan

My FIRST tip & I feel it is the most important: Be FULLY prepared. Yes, this sounds like a bit of over-kill but I promise that it is not. You should gather and bring along any props that you might need. These could be blankets, benches, toys, brushes–yes brushes. With some pictures you may only have
one chance so you will not have time to go and get these things. The better prepared you are the better
your chances of getting that great shot!

#2) Move in CLOSE. The closer you are to your Dog the better detail you will have. If the lighting
is right you will see the “catch lights” in the eyes. This really brings out the expression on the dog’s
face. You also need to make sure the ears are up & that the nose is wet. These little details will
really enhance your photograph.

#3) Speaking of LIGHT…Good lighting is a Critical element of any pet photograph! Low lighting requires longer exposures which usually spells disaster. Good side lighting will really enhance the texture of the dog’s coat. Please remember if you are shooting your pictures outside that the optimal times are early morning or late afternoon. The sun shines more at an angle & provides a much better quality of light for photography.

Dog Floating on Raft in Swimming Pool Chris Minerva (photo can be ordered)

#4) Place yourself on the Dog’s Level. Always try to be shooting from the eye level of the dog. This
again helps to fully capture the expression you want.

#5) One of the true advantages of Digital Photography is that it allows you to shoot multiple shots at no cost to you. This is great when photographing dogs because you cannot control their movements, etc. Another key advantage is that with digital you can most often see your shot & know if it is a winner. Irregardless, I most often shoot 2-3 shots of key poses to make certain I get a winner!

So, in essence many of the problems we encounter when photographing dogs can be alleviated with
some simple preparations. Good planning, great preparation and being flexible enough to anticipate
problems that may arise. Try these out the next time you set out to photograph your pet. I think
you will be pleasantly surprised.

Elaine Mashburn
http://professionalpetphotography.blogspot.com

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

If you’re a dog lover like me, you’ve probably taken dozens of pictures of your beloved dogs or puppies.

And where are those cute dog pictures now? Are they stashed away in a drawer or shoebox, gathering dust?

Don’t let those adorable pictures of your dogs stay hidden away and be forgotten! There are so many decorative ways that you can display your favorite pictures of your dogs or puppies. Here are five unique ideas to get you started:

1. Display your precious dog pictures as a collage under glass! A coffee table with a glass top is a terrific spot to display your cherished pictures of your dogs or puppies!

Remove the glass and layout the pictures on the tabletop, in whatever theme you like. Think about the location of the table and how guests will approach the table. Place the pictures of the dogs or puppies in varying directions for a unique look! When you’re satisfied with the layout of the pictures, place the glass top back over the photos.

2. Display your best-loved pictures of dogs or puppies using CD cases! You can purchase CD cases at your local office supply store. Be sure to use the standard size cases and not the slim variety. Throw away the plastic insert that’s included in the case. Cut the dog pictures to the size of the CD case. Attach a piece of cardboard to the back of each photo. Place the dog photo inside the case and snap it securely shut. Now attach the CD case to the wall with a strip of Velcro. Arrange the cases in a 4 x 4 square pattern or place diagonally at different angles. What’s neat about this type of display is that you can easily change the pictures of the dogs and puppies inside the case as often as you like!

3. Display several of your favorite pictures of dogs or puppies in a shadow box! A shadow box is a great way to display larger dog-related items that won’t fit in a standard frame. Arrange the cute pictures of your puppies or dogs inside the shadow box, then add some of your favorite dog mementos such as his first ID tag, collar, or lock of hair. You could even add one of his favorite dog biscuits or treats. Be creative and display whatever treasured dog items would add the most meaning to the shadow box!

4. Display your favorite pictures of dogs or puppies on a velvet, satin or grosgrain ribbon! Cut a length of ribbon – the size of the ribbon will depend upon the number of photos that you choose to display. Arrange your favorite dog pictures on the ribbon. Attach the pictures of your dogs or puppies with one of those self-adhesive Velcro circles or squares. Now fill in the open spaces of the ribbon with colorful beads, sparkly glitter or some unusual buttons. Then, add a pretty bow at the top of the ribbon for a finishing touch!

5. Display your most cherished dog picture in a mirror frame! Take a piece of mirrored glass and cut it to fit a frame of your choice. You can find mirrored glass at most stores that sell window glass. Now, take a single-edge razor blade and scrape away the mirror’s black backing to create a ‘window’ of clear glass for the picture of your dog to show through. The ‘window’ can be large or small, oval, heart-shaped, smooth or rough around the edges. Tape the picture of your dog or puppy to the back of the glass and place it in the frame.

These are just a few creative ways to display and share your favorite pictures of dogs or puppies. Don’t limit yourself to the methods listed above. With a little thought and ingenuity, you’ll be able to think of some more exciting and distinctive ways to show off those wonderful pictures of your dogs or puppies!

You can find a wonderful assortment of pictures of dogs and pictures of puppies at http://www.bestdogpictures.com/

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

“While Traveling” Technique

Each day while traveling, you can communicate with your animal friends, sending love, reassurance, and updates (mental postcards) about your trip. You will probably find this is a relaxing moment for yourself. Your animals will appreciate your daily contact.

* Lie on a bed or sit comfortably in a chair or cross legged.

* Take 3 deep breaths, and on each exhalation, imagine any stress you are feeling is flowing out with your breath.

* Breathe normally, and pay attention to your breath, watch it going in and out for a minute or two.

* See, feel, allow, imagine you are in your heart center (a space in the middle of your chest).

* Just be in your heart center and connect with the Unconditional Love that lives there in unlimited quantities.

* See, feel, allow, imagine your animal friend in your heart center with you.

* Say hello to him/her and imagine yourself holding them as if you were actually physically present.

* Imagine stroking or petting or grooming them for as long as you wish.

* Talk to your animal friend, just as if you were with them. Tell them about your day. Tell them how much you love and miss them. Remind them you will be home in ___ (fill in number) of days. Tell them you will “visit” them again tomorrow.

When clients of mine have used these techniques, they have consistently reported success.

Kathy has many birds and a regular helper to take care of them. While visiting Hawaii, her helper called to say that Pidge, a rescued wild pigeon, had stopped eating. Kathy asked me what to do. When birds stop eating they can sicken and die very quickly. I gave Kathy the “While Traveling” instructions, which Kathy immediately began to use. Kathy’s helper saw an immediately change in Pidge the very first time Kathy used the technique: Pidge became more relaxed and began to eat. Everyone was relieved and Kathy was able to enjoy the rest of her trip while “visiting” Pidge daily.

Whenever Elaine went on a 3-day weekend with a friend, her cat, Marie, would ignore her for 24 hours after she returned. I suggested Elaine follow the instructions for “Before You Leave”, telling Marie where she was going and with whom, when she would leave and return, and about Marie’s care while Elaine was gone. When Elaine tried this, for the first time ever, Marie didn’t “scold” Elaine when she returned. Instead the cat greeted Elaine as if she had been gone only a few hours, rubbed against her legs, sat in her lap during the evening, and slept with her in bed that night, all of which was their normal routine.

Annette had been desensitizing Skip, her rescued German Shepard, to get used to the idea that staying at a kennel can be fun and is not abandonment. Still, Skip was having a difficult time with it, and Annette had a trip to take where the dog couldn’t go. I suggested to Annette that she use both the “Before You Leave” and “While Traveling” techniques, which Annette was willing to do. As a result, she now has a dog whose separation anxiety is dramatically reduced and Annette is able to go away whenever she needs to travel.

If you have to be away on a trip, give these methods a try. You may find that not only are your animals feeling better about your being away, but you, yourself, may feel more comfortable with the idea of traveling and leaving your animal family members at home.

Rev. Nedda Wittels, M.A., M.S., is a telepathic Animal Communicator and Shamballa Master/Teacher offering private sessions in telepathic communication and in healing for humans and animals. She also offers Spiritual Empowerment Sessions for people awakening to new consciousness. Nedda teaches workshops in telepathic communication with all species and in Shamballa Multidimensional Healing. She can be reached at 860.651.5771, neddaw@sbcglobal.net, and www.raysofhealinglight.com

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Does your cat ignore you for the first 24 hours after you return from a trip? Does your dog or bird stop eating while you are gone? Do animals that normally get along begin to fight? Do they start to get upset when your suitcase comes out? Do you worry about them when you have to travel?

It does not take telepathy for our animal friends to notice that a suitcase has been pulled from the closet. They know this means something is about to happen that affects their lives, but they don’t know what to expect each time.

Setting expectations helps reduce stress for everyone. Here’s how to make things easier for yourself and your animals.

“Before You Leave” Technique

While you may not believe that you are telepathic, you can still communicate with your animals about your trip. If you think your animals may have questions, ask an Animal Communicator to help you with this conversation.

The animals are all telepathic, so if you choose to do this yourself, use mental pictures and take the time to fill in details.

1) Be physically present with the animal, sitting down if appropriate.

2) Close your eyes for a moment, take 3 deep breaths, and tell yourself to relax as you exhale.

3) Get the animal’s attention by saying the animal’s name.

4) Just as you would tell a spouse or partner about a trip you are taking, tell your animal friends. Include details and use mental pictures or images to help get the message across.

a) Tell them you are going away and the purpose of your trip.

Animals care about us and want us to take care of ourselves. When you explain why you are taking a trip, you can say:

VACATION: “I’m going to go on a vacation where I cannot take you. I need to rest and relax and have no responsibilities for a short time. Unfortunately, there is no way you can come along.” Hold a picture in your mind of the place you are planning to visit.

BUSINESS: “I have to take a trip for my job. While I’m away, I’ll be working.” Hold a picture in your mind of you at work.

b) Tell them when you are leaving and when you are returning.

Animals understand concepts of time. They know what a day/night cycle is. They also understand human concepts of a week. Animals who live outside understand moon cycles. You might say, “Today is Wednesday. I’m leaving in two days, on Friday morning, and I will be back 4 days after that, on Tuesday evening.”

c) Tell them who is going to take care of them. You can say:

KENNEL: “You will be staying at the same kennel you stayed at last time. Remember what a good time you had?” Have a picture in your mind of what the place looked like, followed by an image of a person at that place whom your animal really liked. (Make sure this person is still working there if you tell them to expect so see that person.) Remind them about the activities there that they like.

STAYING WITH A FRIEND: “You’ll be staying at [insert person's name] home. You’ll get to play with [insert person's and/or animal's name(s)." Fill in more details if you have them.

PET or HOUSE SITTER "[person's name] is going to [stay here] or [come ___ (fill in number) of times a day] to take of you.”

d) Fill in more details about their care while you are gone.

Reassure the animals that they will be fed their normal food, supplements, and medicine.

Tell them what the caretaker will do: groom them, take them for a walk, play with them, clean their cage or litter box, whatever. You can say: “I’ll make sure you have your own food, bed, and toys.”

e) Tell them you will miss them and be sending them love from your heart while you are gone.

Use the “While Traveling” technique described below to communicate with your animal while you are away.

Click here for this technique, which is explained in part II of the article.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Here’s what you should know about helping someone who is mourning the death of a pet since there is great sorrow involved that can go on for long periods of time.

1. Just as in the death of a friend or family member (and most animals are considered part of the family), grief is to be expected due to the degree of emotional investment in the object of loss. Emotional investment means caring and concern; it is love in-depth. Only the mourner knows the depth of that investment. Sometimes pet grief is more intense than the grief associated with the death of a loved one.

2. Give permission to show emotion by something you say or do. Give the person a hug and say, “This must bring deep hurt” or “I’m so sorry to hear that.” Use the name of the pet when you can. Recognize how close the relationship was between the pet and the mourner and encourage him/her to talk about the illness or what led up to the death.

3. Offer to be of service in some way. Bring food over to the home, if appropriate. Go with the owner to the pet cemetery. Provide transportation. Simply showing you are aware of the impact of the death will be of great help to your friend.

4. Review the relationship the person had with the pet in a gentle caring way. Ask questions regarding how long the pet was part of the family and where he/she came from. Encourage story telling involving what the pet did or did not do. All of this will give you a better idea of what the loss means to the person.

5. Grief over the death of a beloved animal is just as individual as grief over the death of a family member. There will be a wide range of differences, some demonstrative others very reserved. Do not judge the depth of grief by outside appearances. Respect all expressions of grief. Some individuals will hide their grief over fear others will ridicule their behavior. Be sure to include children in learning about grief and death through the death of the pet.

6. Keep in mind, especially with older adults living alone, some companion animals may be the only family the person has. Thus the animal is one of the few or perhaps the only one the mourner received unconditional love from.

7. If other losses have preceded the death of a pet, it can make the pet death more difficult to deal with. For example, if a pet owner has had to give up driving, has had a debilitating illness, has had friends move away, or experienced the death of a loved one, these or other losses can easily result in bereavement overload. The mourner will especially need a nurturing and understanding community at this time of transition.

8. Guilt, anger or depression can also be associated with pet loss. Guilt is the most common reaction, especially if the owner had to have the pet euthanized, was not there when the pet died, or did not recognize the illness until the later stages.

9. Help create or suggest a memorial. A picture, toy, or collar can be used as a way to honor or remember the pet. An object belonging to the animal can be encased in Lucite or placed on a shelf that can be easily viewed.

No longer do pets play a low key role in homes throughout the country. Rather, they have come to fill the role of companion, supporter, and old friend. Consequently, the death of a pet can become a major grief experience for the young or old alike. Become sensitive to the role the animal played in the life of the family and you will be better equipped to provide ongoing support and appropriate remembrances that will be immensely helpful in the months ahead.

By Lou LaGrand

Dr. LaGrand is a grief counselor and the author of eight books, the most recent, the popular Love Lives On: Learning from the Extraordinary Encounters of the Bereaved. He is known world-wide for his research on the Extraordinary Experiences of the bereaved (after-death communication phenomena) and is one of the founders of Hospice of the St. Lawrence Valley, Inc. His free monthly ezine website is http://www.extraordinarygriefexperiences.com.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

First, protection for you pet’s precious paws is essential. The cold and hard ground, particularly when snow or ice is present can cause your pet’s paws to become sore and cracked; sometimes, it can even cause their paws to bleed. There are several things you can do to help protect your pet’s paws. Oftentimes, the best option is to purchase puppy boots. These boots are made of water-resistant fabric on the exterior, and they usually have warm material such as fleece or flannel lining on the inside. They usually sport elastic cuffs around the top and Velcro underneath to ensure they stay on.

If your pet does not take to wearing booties, there is another option: grooming your pet’s paws. When it is particularly snowy outside, the ice and snow can easily cling to the hair between your pet’s paws and on their paw pads and ‘ankles’. Simply trim the hair to keep it short, this way they snow and ice will have nothing to hold on to. Also, keep your pet’s toenails trimmed short (but not too short). This can help prevent your pup’s paws from soreness. Finally, gently rub petroleum jelly on your puppy’s paw pads before and after they go outside. Doing this protects their paws from cracking and bleeding by providing a film of protective gel over the paws.

Winter nights are cold, especially if you like to keep your house somewhat cool, even in the winter season. Secondly, to help your pup remain warm and comfy at night, there are a few things you may want to consider. If your pet does not have a doggie bed, you may want to get one for your pooch this holiday season. Doggie beds are built so your pet can snuggle warmly at night in their soft fabric bed. You can also buy your pet a throw or a fleece blanket. When you put your dog to bed at night, simply toss the blanket or throw over their body, and it will help keep them warm.

Another option to purchase puppy pajamas. It may sound silly, but flannel pajamas for dog’s can really help keep them insulated and warm. Also, if your dog tends to shed, this is a great option, because it contains the shed hair within the garment until you wash it. This is great because then you won’t have pet hair all over your couch, on your bed, or other warm places in your house that you don’t want covered in pet hair.

Help keep your pet warm and protected from the winter elements this holiday season. Consider purchasing winter wear such as water-resistant booties, puppy pajamas, or even a coat or jacket. A doggie bed and pet throw or blanket can also go a long way. Remember, investing in your pet’s comfort is investing in your pet’s happiness. It is well worth the cost!

This article brought to you by http://www.dog-fence.org. Visit us for valuable information on how to keep your pet safe from avoidable accidents.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

I stumbled upon this ‘top 10′ and just HAD TO feature it here on our blog. The article was written by Geri and featured on GoodNewsNetwork.org.

Here are the highlights of the article:

10) Shepherd Rescues Crash Victim by the Collar
“A stray German Shepherd dragged a bloodied woman up to the highway, and let her lean against him so she could flag a passing motorist, after her car careened down an embankment 50 yards distant. The dog, renamed HERO, was taken to a shelter where numerous people wanted to adopt it. A dog trainer has agreed to see if he has the right stuff for search and rescue work.”

9) Dog Saves Owner from the Same Fire Twice
An abused stray dog adopted by an Idaho City resident turned out to be twice a hero, saving Candace Jennings a second time from a raging house fire in the middle of the night after Jennings risked her life to go back into the home to get keys belonging to other people.

8) Cat Saves Entire Family From Poisonous Gas
A 14-year-old Indiana cat saved a family whose home was filling with deadly — though odorless — carbon monoxide while they slept. In the middle of the night, Winnie the wonder cat jumped up and down wildly, while screeching madly, to spur the family into action. Their son was already unconscious, while the mom through her dizziness reached the phone to dial 911.

There are 7 more….
7) Dog Saves Woman’s Life With Heimlich Maneuver
6) Firefighters Rally to Save Exhausted Horse From Mud Pit
5) Cat Walks 4 Months to Return to Owner
4) Jessica the Hippo, A Most Unusual Family Pet (click here for the video)
3) Cat Senses Final Hours of Elderly Patients
2) Golden Retriever Nurses Stray Kitten
1) Cat Sniffs Out Cancer in Owners Breast

For the full article, click here.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Our pets are part of our families and our memories. Whether they are dogs, cats, hamsters or rabbits, they enrich our lives. Creating a pet-themed scrapbook album will preserve the special moments you share with them. Consider these scrapbooking pet page ideas to make an album just for your pet photos.

Everyone remembers the excitement of bringing home a new pet. Make a scrapbooking page about their first night at home. You can include pictures of your pet’s new bed and any toys you bought for your pet. Photos with each family member should be highlighted as well. Journal your thoughts about how you selected your new companion and what inspired you to choose its name.

Another scrapbooking pet page idea is to capture your pet’s personality on a page. This can be done through photos and journaling. Dogs might be lazy, energetic or neurotic. Cats can be affectionate, frisky or aloof. Hamsters might be friendly, shy or bold. Consider your own pet’s behavior. Funny stories and memories would be a great addition to your journaling.

Create a scrapbooking page of pet memorabilia. You can use pockets and envelopes on your pages to add tufts of fur, old ID tags, baby teeth and labels from your pet’s favorite food or treats. A pet-themed album can preserve your pet’s adoption papers, paw print impressions, veterinary records and obedience training awards and certificates.

Obedience classes are great photo opportunities. Design pages that show your pet’s progress through training courses. More people are involving their dogs in classes beyond basic obedience. Many active owners participate in agility training, fly ball and rally competition. Don’t forget to include photos of these events in your dog’s album.

Pets are part of our holiday celebrations. Create a Halloween page with your dog in a costume. Around the holidays, pet stores often offer pictures of pets with Santa. Pages of a kitten playing in the wrapping paper on Christmas morning or a puppy sleeping under the tree can be part of both your holiday album and your pet-themed scrapbook.

Document your pet’s firsts like your dog’s first visit to the veterinarian or your puppy’s first bath. Photograph your puppy’s growth over its first year. Create a “day in the life” page for your pet. Meal, nap and play times can be more opportunities to show your pet’s behavior and personality in photos. Celebrate your pet’s birthdays complete with cards, presents and cake. Then, make birthday scrapbooking pages for your album.

Scrapbooking manufacturers are responding to requests for pet-themed albums and embellishments. Most craft stores stock dog and cat stickers, and some even offer small animal stickers, like hamsters and rabbits. Patterned papers come with dog and cat themes. You can find materials for page accents, like die cuts, brads, ribbons, and stamps, designed for pet pages, as well.

Owning a pet is a relationship and a commitment. Pets provide companionship and their lives become part of ours. A pet-themed album is a reflection of your bond with your pet. Think about pet scrapbooking page ideas that capture the essence of your relationship with your pet. Make your next scrapbook one that celebrates the special moments you and your pet share.

Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of scrapbooking experience. Her favorite photography and scrapbooking subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking ideas and religious scrapbooking ideas.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.